High Active Liquor Storage

Mr. David Stewart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the security implications of sensitive sites in nuclear installations, with special reference to high active liquor storage, being identified on non-secure websites. [55325]

Mr. Wilson [holding answer 10 May 2002]: The Government's policy of openness stresses the importance of providing as much information as possible of legitimate public interest. It is balanced by non-disclosure of sensitive information. The protection of sensitive information in the civil nuclear industry is one aspect of required security arrangements at civil nuclear installations kept under continuing review by the Director of Civil Nuclear Security, the security regulator. I am satisfied that stringent security measures apply at all civil nuclear sites in respect of both the sites and the materials held within the sites.

Ofgem

Ms Walley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she last met Ofgem to discuss the introduction of competition into electricity services connection. [56135]

Mr. Wilson:
Callum McCarthy and I meet on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues. Competition in electricity connections is a matter for Ofgem. I understand that it is making progress on this issue.

Export Licences

Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will respond to export licence application number 32368 made on 7 March by Pultrex Limited of Colchester. [55716]

Nigel Griffiths [holding answer 13 May 2002]: Licences to export arms and other items whose export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry acting through the Export Control Organisation (ECO).

The company regrettably failed to provide complete end user documentation. This has now been obtained and a decision will be taken as quickly as possible consistent with the need to give full consideration to the issues involved.

End of Life Vehicle Directive

Mr. Sayeed:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department took to make people aware of the implications of the End of Life Vehicle Directive. [56420]

20 May 2002 : Column 50W

Mr. Wilson:
DTI published a consultation document on the end of life vehicles (ELV) directive in August last year, issuing 2,000 copies initially, and a further 500 copies during the three-month consultation period. This document was also made available on UK online and on the DTI website, where a summary of the replies received by the Department is now available. Further information on the implementation of the ELV directive will be made available in the same way, when decisions are taken.

Small Businesses

Geraldine Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to help small businesses with increased insurance costs following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. [56181]

Nigel Griffiths:
Government provides a range of assistance of small firms experiencing difficulties, for whatever reason:

The SBS launched its Company Rescue Pilot scheme in September 2001, and has so far helped 37 businesses (as at 8 May 2002);

The Business Link network provides advice and support for businesses suffering as a result of a recent crisis including advising on a range of disaster management issues;

The National Business Debtline is in place to help Micro Businesses in England and Wales facing debt problems to obtain free, confidential and impartial advice. It handles an average of 1,500 queries a quarter; and

The recently established Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS) will provide improved anticipation, preparation, prevention and resolution to improve the UK's resilience to disruptive challenges at every level in future.

Miners' Compensation

Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been paid in fees to solicitors representing miners in (a) Wales and (b) the United Kingdom who are suffering from respiratory disease and vibration white finger in the last three years. [56446]

Mr. Wilson:
In the last three financial years the Department has made payments broken down as follows to solicitors representing miners in Wales and United Kingdom:

£ million

Wales

United Kingdom

Respiratory Disease

April 1999 to March 2000

0.4

2.0

April 2000 to March 2001

3.4

16.5

April 2001 to March 2002

9.1

32.4

VWF

April 1999 to March 2000

1.3

6.6

April 2000 to March 2001

1.4

11.1

April 2001 to March 2002

3.3

28.2

Respiratory Disability

Rachel Squire:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total value is of offers made by her claim handlers AON IRISC Claims Management, following the medical assessment procedure examination where COPD respiratory disability has been diagnosed; how many such offers were made in (a) England,

20 May 2002 : Column 51W

(b) Wales and (c) Scotland; how many such offers were accepted and what was their total value in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland; what the total value is of such offers paid out by the Department (a) in England, (b) in Wales and (c) in Scotland on a full and final basis and how many cases are involved; what the value of the interim payments made in such cases is; and how many cases are involved in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland. [56410]

Mr. Wilson:
An analysis of full and final offers and acceptances broken down by region is as follows:

England

Scotland

Wales

Total

Offers made:

Number

7,080

624

3,321

11,025

Value (£ million)

113.8

10.0

53.3

177.1

Offers accepted and paid:

Number

1,505

129

1,075

2,709

Value (£ million)

20.2

2.2

22.9

45.3

In the time available it is not possible to distinguish offers accepted but not yet paid. Offers accepted would be slightly higher than in the table.

The Department does make interim payments in the course of assessing a claim. However, when a full and final offer has been made no further interim payments are offered because we consider it is for the claimants' solicitors and our claims handlers to agree a final settlement. Although, in deserving cases, such as those with a short life expectancy, the Department has made such interim payments and will consider doing so on a case by case basis.

P.W. Pains Wessex Defence

Chris Grayling:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licences have been granted to P.W. Pains Wessex Defence in the past two years; and for what products they were issued. [56571]

Nigel Griffiths:
Such information is not normally released because of commercial confidentiality. However I have asked the company if they will waive this. I will write to the hon. Member in the light of its response, and will place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.

Dounreay Nuclear Plant

John Thurso:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will support the introduction of a community fund levy on new contracts awarded for the decommissioning and site restoration work at the Dounreay nuclear plant in Caithness; and if she will make a statement. [56585]

Mr. Wilson [holding answer 15 May 2002]: The decommissioning of Dounreay is expected to generate large economic as well as environmental benefits for the local region, and I have asked UKAEA to maximise the potential for these benefits where it is cost effective to do so. I do not believe that an additional levy on new contracts is justified.

20 May 2002 : Column 52W

Nuclear Waste

Mr. Weir:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the UKAEA regarding (a) disposal and (b) transport of nuclear waste from Dounreay. [56880]

Mr. Wilson [holding answer 16 May 2002]: None.

Correspondence

Mr. Mullin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) of 8 March, regarding US tariffs on imports of menswear from the United Kingdom. [56852]

Mr. Alexander:
I have replied today.

Selby Coalfield

Mr. Grogan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to undertake a study of the (a) economic and (b) geological prospects of the Selby coalfield. [56687]

Mr. Wilson:
IMC Group Consulting Limited has been commissioned by the Department to undertake a review of the Selby Mine Complex. This will consider both the economic and geological prospects of the complex. The review is scheduled to be completed by mid June, and its findings will be published.